Syria's Aviation Sector Seeks Revival Through International Collaboration

Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority is working to restore airport operations safely and in full compliance with international aviation standards, a move seen as crucial for revitalizing the country’s struggling economy.

The effort comes after the European Union’s surprise decision on February 24, 2025, to suspend a package of sanctions on Syria, including those targeting the transport sector. 

The Syrian government hopes the easing of restrictions will pave the way for securing much-needed equipment and spare parts for the aviation industry, which has suffered from more than 14 years of damage and neglect.

Syria's Aviation Revival

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, the extent of the damage to Syria’s civil aviation sector has come to light.

Air traffic to Syria remains slow and severely limited, largely due to the lack of necessary upgrades at Damascus International Airport, a major concern for international airlines. 

Sanctions imposed on Assad's regime following the 2011 uprising have turned the airport into a rudimentary hub, with outdated electronic systems and a complete absence of modern airport technology.

Syria is home to four civilian airports: Damascus International, Aleppo International, and Latakia International, along with Qamishli Airport in the country’s northeast, which remains under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The country’s civilian fleet, however, has been reduced to just nine operational aircraft—four belonging to the privately owned Cham Wings Airlines and five operated by the state-run Syrian Air. 

Years of international sanctions against the former al-Assad regime have crippled the aviation sector, preventing the renewal of navigation equipment, halting training programs, and blocking the import of spare parts or the leasing and purchase of new aircraft.

In an effort to revive the sector, Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on February 27, 2025, during a meeting in Damascus. The agreement, signed in collaboration with ICAO’s Middle East regional office, aims to lay the groundwork for future cooperation and modernization efforts.

Ashhad al-Salibi, head of Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority, described the visit by ICAO officials as coming at a time of both challenges and opportunities. 

He stressed that international collaboration was the only viable path to bringing Syria’s aviation sector in line with global standards. 

Discussions, he added, focused on improving safety and security, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing air navigation efficiency.

At present, Damascus International Airport receives just one flight per day, operated by either Syrian Air, Cham Wings Airlines, Turkish Airlines, or Qatar Airways, alongside Saudi aircraft delivering humanitarian aid. 

Meanwhile, Royal Jordanian Airlines operates a weekly flight to Damascus. 

Rehabilitating Syria’s Airports

Damascus International Airport is currently operating at limited capacity, hindered by a severe shortage of essential navigation equipment. 

Efforts are underway to reinstall critical aeronautical aids needed for safe landings, including the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) system, Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), and the Instrument Landing System (ILS)—the latter of which typically requires six months to be fully installed, even in stable countries.

Syria’s push to reintegrate into the global civil aviation network—through compliance with international standards and technical capacity-building efforts—highlights the strategic importance of the sector, particularly in facilitating travel for Syrians to and from their homeland.

The Syrian government is working on phased rehabilitation of its three civilian airports in succession, focusing on installing navigation systems to enhance aviation safety and security. 

In parallel, authorities are also seeking to restore ties with global suppliers and airlines, aiming to revitalize the country’s air transport sector—from upgrading equipment to revamping training and operational programs.

Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority is working to import and supply the necessary spare parts to restore grounded aircraft, while also laying the groundwork for the future acquisition of modern, advanced aircraft.

According to Samih Arabi, an advisor to Syria’s General Civil Aviation Authority, new strategies and action plans are being developed to reactivate and rehabilitate the air transport sector, coinciding with the gradual lifting of economic sanctions on the country.

Speaking to the press on February 28, 2025, Arabi highlighted that one of the most pressing challenges under sanctions had been the inability to modernize navigation equipment, upgrade training programs, or improve infrastructure.

“The paralysis extended to the import of aircraft spare parts and engines, as well as the purchase and leasing of new aircraft,” he said.

“All of this has led to the deterioration of Syria’s national airline fleet and the weakening of the air navigation system,” he added.

Arabi also noted that efforts are underway to resume direct flights between Syrian and European airports, though he acknowledged that achieving this goal remains a complex challenge.

“We are well aware of the importance of air travel between Syria and all countries, not just in Europe,” said Samih Arabi, emphasizing the need to reestablish routes with Europe, particularly given the significant Syrian diaspora in countries like Germany.

Arabi estimated that within at least one year, efforts will be underway to operate five aircraft under the Syrian Civil Aviation’s fleet. However, he cautioned that restoring normal airport operations would not be a quick or simple process.

“Setting up radar systems, for instance, will take at least two years, including contracts, purchases, installations, and training for technicians and air traffic controllers,” he explained. “Nevertheless, we are aiming to complete this task within six months.”

Arabi further underscored that Syria is actively pursuing investments in the aviation sector, aiming to collaborate with Arab and international airlines, rather than relying solely on aid.

Such partnerships, he noted, would allow airlines traveling from the Gulf to Europe—or vice versa—to fly over Syrian airspace, thereby saving both time and fuel due to Syria’s strategic geographical location.

In mid-February 2025, the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with its Qatari counterpart in Doha, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. 

The agreement outlined several key areas of collaboration, including the enhancement of air navigation services, infrastructure development, and training initiatives. A key point of the memorandum was the agreement to sign a future contract to train Syrian air traffic controllers in Qatar.

Critical Timing

Building a sustainable future for Syria’s civil aviation sector depends on leveraging the best practices and innovations from both Arab and Western countries.

The economic goals tied to Syria’s civil aviation are particularly significant at this critical juncture in the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority expects that, within six months, all of Syria’s airports will be fully prepared to handle international flights, particularly those coming from Europe.

According to experts, achieving this goal requires a focus on key developments in safety and security, as well as integrating aviation with tourism, recognizing the role these sectors play in supporting Syria’s broader economic objectives.

Qatar Airways has begun flying over Syrian airspace, a move that is expected to bolster Syria’s finances by contributing to the country’s civil aviation authority.

The Syrian aviation sector has been severely damaged over the past 12 years, due to both the absence of air traffic and the imposition of Western sanctions.

Since February 2025, Turkiye has been involved in efforts to rehabilitate Damascus International Airport, focusing particularly on navigation security and the technical aspect.

In the first phase of the project, Turkiye installed new wireless communication systems to enhance flight safety at Damascus International Airport, as reported by Anadolu Agency on March 2, 2025, citing Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Adil Karaismailoglu.

The Turkiye minister also revealed that 113 vehicles, devices, and systems were transported via six trucks to ensure the safe operation of flights at Damascus International Airport and across Syrian airspace. 

He emphasized that security is one of the top priorities at airports, noting that the equipment sent by Turkiye has significantly contributed to improving safety standards at the airport.

Among the systems provided by Turkiye to Damascus International Airport are X-ray machines and explosive trace detectors, according to Turkish Minister of Transport Adil Karaismailoglu.

“Turkish engineers and technicians are working diligently on-site to rehabilitate the airport’s infrastructure. We are also reviewing the existing systems at the airport and addressing any faults,” he added.

Karaismailoglu further explained that Turkiye has also contributed to enhancing the fire safety standards at Damascus Airport, equipping it with specialized rescue and firefighting vehicles to better handle emergencies.

The Syrian aviation sector has suffered severe losses under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with damages amounting to nearly 70% of the total revenues from 2011, which were around $50 million annually from landing, takeoff, and overflight fees.

In August 2022, Bassem Mansour, the former Director General of Civil Aviation under the Assad regime, revealed that Syria’s aviation sector had suffered losses exceeding $480 million since 2011. An additional $300 million was lost due to damage to navigation facilities, equipment, and radars as a result of bombing.

Experts predict that Syria could generate annual revenues of approximately $100 million if its air traffic returns to pre-2011 levels.

In response, the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority is working with European companies, including a German firm, to install a new radar system in line with global standards. 

Airlines have insisted that these standards be met before signing new contracts with the current Syrian government.

Experts also emphasize the significant economic benefits that would result from resuming air traffic between Syria and Europe, especially given the large Syrian diaspora in European countries.

Many Syrians, living abroad, are eager to see a direct airline connection between their host countries and Syria, their homeland.

Lifting sanctions on the aviation sector is seen as the first step in this process, followed by the resumption of regular and charter flights to and from Syria.

Meanwhile, the state-owned carrier, Syrian Air, is pushing to secure contracts with countries, ensuring that the sector isn’t entirely left to private airlines.